Nozzle

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides apparatus for dispensing adhesive elements, provided at spaced apart locations along a tape, to a target location on a surface. The apparatus comprises means for accommodating said tape in coiled configuration, a rotatably mounted tape dispensing head for dispensing adhesive elements from the tape to said surface; and actuating means. The actuating means includes a handle rotatably mounted on said tape accommodating means and is operably associated with said dispensing head to rotate the dispensing head to present an adhesive element to said target location. The present invention also provides is a method of dispensing adhesive elements from a tape to a target location on a surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a method and apparatus which are used todispense adhesive in the form of adhesive elements such as glue dots orthe like. In particular, but not exclusively, the apparatus and methodare used to dispense adhesive elements which are carried on a tape orthe like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adhesive dots, pads or the like (referred to hereinafter as adhesiveelements or glue dots) mounted on a silicone release tape, wherein theadhesive dots are equi-spaced along the length of the tape, are wellknown, see for example those sold under the name SUPERDOTS®. Such dotsare used to removably secure a first item to a second item, an examplebeing an Insert of a fragrance sample in a magazine.

One known form of means for removing an adhesive dot from the carriertape and securing it to an item involves the use of a stand or housingin which the carrier tape—carrying the adhesive dots—is mounted in rollform, the carrier tape being fed from the stand or housing such that thesequentially arranged adhesive dots may be removed manually by auser—usually one at a time—from the carrier tape. Such stands or housingare often made from cardboard.

Whilst the above-described stand or housing has proved very successful,its use is very time-consuming, since it involves pulling through byhand of the carrier strip in order to correctly position the adhesivedot to be removed for transference to the item to which it is to beattached.

There exists a need for an apparatus which may be used to dispenseadhesive elements such as adhesive dots quickly and more efficiently. Inparticular, there is a need for an apparatus which is easy to use andcomfortable for a user to hold whilst dispensing adhesive dots orelements to a surface.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is providedapparatus for dispensing adhesive elements, provided at spaced apartlocations along a tape, to a target location on a surface, the apparatuscomprising:

-   -   means, e.g. a holder, for accommodating said tape in coiled        configuration;    -   a rotatably mounted tape dispensing head for dispensing adhesive        elements from the tape to said surface; and    -   actuating means (or an actuator) including a handle rotatably        mounted on said tape accommodating means, wherein the actuating        means is operably associated with said dispensing head to rotate        the dispensing head to present an adhesive element to said        target location.

Preferably, the dispensing head comprises a drum, said drum having acamming groove on at least one end surface, and said actuating meansfurther comprising a cam follower which locates in said groove.

Conveniently, the drum comprises a groove on both end surfaces.Advantageously, each groove comprises a plurality of zones, each zoneincluding two upwardly inclining tracks ending in a stepped portion.

Preferably, the actuating means further comprises a link extendingbetween the handle and the cam follower, whereby rotational movement ofthe handle causes linear movement of the cam follower and rotationalmovement of the drum.

Preferably, the link comprises a rigid portion connected to a flexibleportion, the flexible portion being connected to the handle and therigid portion being connected to the cam follower. Advantageously,rotational movement of the handle causes linear movement of the camfollower and rotational movement of the drum.

Preferably, the dispensing head further comprises, on an outercircumferential surface, means for abutment with a shoulder of the poste.g. comprises an abutment surface. Conveniently, the abutment meanscomprises at least one recess on the outer circumferential surface ofthe dispensing head.

Preferably, the dispensing head further comprises registration means ora registration apparatus for registration with the tape. Advantageously,the registration means comprises a plurality of raised projections on acircumferential surface of the dispensing head.

Preferably, the actuating means is biased to a non-actuating positionduring use. Preferably, the tape accommodation means comprises twosections which define a space therebetween, the space being adapted toaccommodate a tape in coiled configuration during use.

Advantageously, one of the sections includes a recess, the recess beingfor accommodating a peg situated on a tape reel. Preferably, theapparatus further comprises guide means for holding the tape on thedispensing head during use.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod for dispensing adhesive elements from a tape to a target locationon a surface, the method comprising:

-   -   a) providing an apparatus comprising means for accommodating        said tape in coiled configuration, a rotatably mounted tape        dispensing head for dispensing adhesive elements from the tape        to said surface and actuating means including a handle rotatably        mounted on said tape accommodating means, wherein the actuating        means is operably associated with said dispensing head to rotate        the dispensing head to present an adhesive element to said        target location;    -   b) placing a reel that holds a length of tape in a coiled        configuration in a corresponding tape accommodation means in an        apparatus,    -   c) feeding a free end of the tape on to the tape dispensing        head;    -   d) placing a lower surface of the tape dispensing head in        contact with said surface;    -   e) actuating the handle thereby causing rotation of the tape        dispensing head; and    -   f) holding the tape dispensing means in contact with the surface        throughout operation of the actuating means, thereby bringing an        adhesive element into contact with the target location on said        surface

Preferably, the apparatus may comprise further features of the apparatusof the present invention. Preferably, the method may be repeated todispense a plurality of adhesive elements to target locations of one ormore than one surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, embodimentsthereof will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, withreference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one side of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view on one side and the underside dispensingapparatus of the present invention (the apparatus is shown with a reelwhich is not part of the present invention);

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the other side of the dispensingapparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus with thehandle attached;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus from theother side as FIG. 4 with the handle portion attached;

FIG. 6 is a schematic end view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the present invention taken throughline C-C of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the tape dispensing means of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the “rolling-off” process of dispensingan adhesive element on to a surface.

In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 13 of the accompanying drawings, dispensingapparatus 1 includes a broadly shallow, part-cylindrical housing 3.Housing 3 comprises two secured together sections, a first section 3 aand a second section 3 b.

Throughout the description and the claims which follow, unless thecontext requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as“comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion ofa stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any otherinteger or group of integers.

First section 3 a and second section 3 b each comprise an upper portion,5 a, 5 b, a neck portion 7 a, 7 b and a lower portion 9 a, 9 b. Thehousing 3 is adapted to hold a coiled tape carrying adhesive elementssuch as glue dots or the like, or alternatively a reel holding a tape,carrying adhesive elements in coiled configuration. The upper portions 5a, 5 b of the sections are generally half-circular in shape and have acurved edge 11 a, 11 b and a straight edge 13 a, 13 b. Both upperportions have a raised wall 15 a, 15 b around their curvedcircumference. Each raised wall 15 a, 15 b starts at the top of theupper portion 5 a, 5 b and runs along the respective upper portion'scurved circumferential edge. Each wall 15 a, 15 b runs downwardly fromthe base of the respective upper portion 3, to the centre of the neckportion 7 where the distal edge of the raised wall 15 a of section 3 ainterlocks with the distal edge of the raised wall 15 b of section 3 bto together form the housing and together define a space 21 in which thereel or tape may fit and held during use.

Each of the neck portions 7 a, 7 b has a respective raised wall 2 a, 2 bprojecting from its interior surface which raised wall 2 a, 2 b,together with the raised walls 15 a, 15 b, define a channel 23 in theneck portion 7 of each section. Similarly, the edges of the channel 23of each section 3 a, 3 b fit together.

Section 3 a of the housing 3 further includes a rearward arm 19 which,together with finger 25, holds the reel or coiled tape in place once thereel has been positioned in the housing. At about the centre of section3 b of the housing 3, edge 13 is shaped to provide an entrance for ablind recess 27 which extends radially some distance from the centretowards curved edge 11. This recess 27 is sized to accommodate a pegsituated on one side of a reel holding tape carrying adhesive means, asdescribed in more detail later.

The recess 27 forms part of a locking means or lock device. The lockingmeans also includes a circular frame 4. The circular frame has a gap 60in its lower surface. C-shaped block 8 is situated inside the frame andis downwardly biased by a spring engaged with a top surface of the frame4 (not shown). In its biased position, the lower arm of block 8 extendsthrough the gap 60. The block has a top arm 10 which has a slopedsurface 12. The sloped surface 12 faces the entrance of the blind recess27 and the block is situated so that the sloped surface is at the dosedend of the recess 27. The sloped surface 12 is for registration with apeg situated on a reel carrying tape (as explained later).

In an alternative embodiment, which may be used to dispense adhesiveelements which are carried on a reel that does not comprise a peg,section 3 b does not necessarily comprise the recess, channel or stopmember. In this embodiment, section 3 b may have a smooth exteriorsurface.

The apparatus further comprises an actuating means or actuator. Theactuating means includes a handle 6 which may be gripped by the userduring dispensing of the adhesive elements. The handle is in two parts,a first part 6 a and a second part 6 b. The first and second parts arefastened together by threaded screws (not shown) extending into holes16, 18. The handle 6 is spring-loaded relative to the housing, thespring biasing the handle to a non-actuating position. Of course, theterm “spring” will be understood to include any apparatus or means, e.g.biasing apparatus, having the same function as a spring.

The distal portions 20 a, 20 b of the first part 6 a and the second part6 b, when secured together, together form a “pistol-type” grip. The gripextends from the housing in a downwardly angled direction (as shown inFIG. 9).

The distal portion of the first part of the handle abuts and is integralwith a middle portion 22 a of the first part of the handle. The middleportion 22 a extends transversely from either side of the distal portion20 a and is correspondingly curved to the curved edge of section 3 a.Thus, the middle portion extends adjacent to, but does not touch, aportion of the curved edge 11 a. The middle portion 22 a has two slots24 and 26 for accommodating two projections of flexible strip 28 (asexplained later).

The middle portion 22 a further abuts a mounting portion 30 a of thefirst part 6 a of the handle. The mounting portion 30 a connects thefirst part 6 a of the handle to the exterior surface of the firstsection 3 a at the radial centre of the section's curved edge 11. Asshown in FIG. 5, the mounting portion 30 a includes on its interiorsurface a circular boss 32 which corresponds in size and position to abore 29 in the first section 3 a. The bore 29 has a raised edge aroundits circumference. The boss 32 fits inside the bore 29 and is able tomove rotationally within the bore, thus acting as a pivot for the firstpart of the handle, enabling the first part of the handle to moverotationally around this pivot during use (as explained later).

The mounting portion 30 a adjoins one end of the middle portion 22 a,which means that the mounting portion is offset from the distal gripportion 20 a. This enables handle 6, when the first and second part 6 a,6 b are secured together, to be extend symmetrically from the centrebetween the first and the second section 3 a, 3 b.

The second part 6 b of the handle is for mounting on the second section3 b of the housing. As discussed previously, the second part 6 b of thehandle also comprises a distal portion 20 b which, together with thedistal portion 20 a of the first part of the handle, makes up the gripheld by the user. The second part 6 b of the handle further comprises amiddle portion 22 b which abuts the distal portion 20 b. The middleportion 22 b is curved correspondingly to the curved edge of the secondsection 3 b and is also similarly dimensioned to the raised wall 15 b toensure that the handle can freely rotate about its pivot on the housingduring use.

The second part of the handle also includes a mounting portion 30 b. Themounting portion 30 b of the second part differs from the mountingportion 30 a of the first part in that it does not have a boss on itsinterior surface. Instead, the mounting portion includes a circularrecess 37 at the end to be connected to the first section section 3 a.The recess 37 is correspondingly shaped to the locking means of section3 a and fits over the frame 4 of the locking means. The wall 40enclosing the recess 37 has two notches 44 and 51. Notch 44 correspondsto the recess of section 3 a to accommodate a peg situated on a reelaccommodated in the housing (as explained later). Notch 51 correspondsto block 8 and accommodates block 8 when a reel with a peg is notsupported within the housing and the block is biased downwardly. Theaccommodation of block 8 in notch 51 prevents rotation of the handleabout its pivot.

The middle portions of the first and second part of the handle each havea passage 17 a, 17 b for holding the tape from which adhesive elementshas already been dispensed. The passages link together when the twoparts of the handle are secured together.

The actuating means further comprises a link extending between the camfollower and the handle. The link includes a rigid portion and aflexible portion. In this embodiment, the rigid portion is a post 49accommodated inside the channel 23. Post 49 has a pin attached to itslower end. The distal portion 34 of each pin 14 is engageable in thegroove 33 of the drum 18 and rides along the tracks during use, drivingrotation of the drum upon displacement of the actuating handle. Post 49includes shoulder 52.

The post is connected to a flexible strip 28. Strip 28 is accommodatedin a gap between the middle portions of the handle and the curved edge11 of sections 3 a and 3 b. The strip 28 has two projections (not shown)on its underside, which register with corresponding recesses 24, 26 onthe middle portions of the first part of the handle to ensure that theflexible strip is attached to the handle and thus moves when the handleis moved by the user.

The apparatus 1 includes a tape dispensing head in the form of a drum18. Drum 18 is a truncated cylinder which is mounted for rotation onspindle 31 extending between the bottom ends of housing 3. Drum 18 ismounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis on a pin or spindle 31.Drum 18 is formed from two sections.

The pin or spindle 31 is secured to the housing 3 via fastening meanssuch as a threaded screw which runs from the lower portion 9 a of thefirst section 3 a to the lower portion 9 b of the second section 3 balong a bore situated in the centre of the pin or spindle. The drum 18is formed of a synthetic plastics material. Alternatively, the drum maybe formed of any suitable material, such as metal or rubber, forexample.

Referring to FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings, the drum 18 isprovided with an endless recessed groove track 33 in each of its flatside surfaces. The groove 33 is a star- or spider-shaped formation andcomprises five lobes or zones 35. Each zone 35 comprises two discretetracks. A single zone is highlighted in black in FIG. 7 and includes twotracks shown as 35 a and 35 b. Each track in the illustrated embodimentis slightly curved along its length and is also upwardly inclining fromits first end to its second end (travel from the first end to the secondend of each track in this instance being in a clockwise direction). Theupwardly inclining nature of each track ensures that the second end ofone track is raised relative to the first end of the adjacent track anda stepped portion 47 (shown in FIG. 11) is provided at an intersectionbetween adjacent tracks, both between adjacent tracks in a particularzone and between adjacent tracks of adjacent zones. The stepped portionsare situated slightly forward of each apex of the groove and are toprevent the pins reversing their movement, and hence preventing reversemovement of the drum 18 during rotation of the drum 18 as will be laterexplained.

As shown in FIG. 12, the drum 18 further comprises a plurality ofregistration means or devices for registration with indexing means ordevices provided on the tape carrying the adhesive elements. Theregistration means are provided on the outer curved surface of the drumand, in the present embodiment, take the form of twelve projections 36arranged in pairs which are spaced equally around the outercircumferential surface of the drum. The provision of the projections 36on the drum 18, which register with sprocket holes in the tape fromwhich the adhesive elements are to be dispensed, ensure that theadhesive elements are always positioned at the correct location to betransferred from the tape to an article to which a dot of adhesive is tobe applied. In alternative embodiments, the registration means may takeother forms, for example, the number of projections 36 may differ.

The drum 18 is also provided on its outer circumferential surface, witha plurality of spaced-apart recesses 39. The recesses 39 have a slopedlower surface (as shown in FIG. 5). These recesses accommodate theshoulder of the post 49 during use which carries out two functions: toassist the forward movement of the drum and also to reduce the load onthe pin when at the lower apex of the grooves due to pressure placed bythe user.

As shown in FIG. 1, apparatus 1 includes a first foot 38 a and a secondfoot 38 b. The first foot 38 a is attached to the lower portion of thefirst section 3 a of the apparatus 1 by fastening means such as threadedscrews or the like. Similarly, the second foot 38 b is attached to thelower portion of the second section 3 b.

Feet 38 a, 38 b each have a flat ground-contacting surface 40, thusenabling the apparatus to be stored in an upright position. During use,the feet contact the surface upon which adhesive elements are to beplaced and hold the surface taut. This facilitates the dispensing of theadhesive elements onto the surface.

A pair of guides 42 a, 42 b in the form of pivoted flaps are pivotablymounted to the respective neck portion 7 a of the housing 3. Theseguides 42 a, 42 b ensure that the tape is retained around thecircumferential surface of the drum 18. This is achieved by preventingthe tape from moving more than a predetermined distance away from theouter surface of the drum. As shown in FIG. 8, the guides 42 a, 42 b aresituated on opposing sides of the drum 18. Each guide 42 a, 42 bcomprises a lug 55 a, 55 b which is correspondingly shaped to a cavity46 a, 46 b present in the neck portion 7 a of the housing. Each lug 55a, 55 b is attached to the main portion of the flap via a guide neck 48.The guide neck 48 enables the lug to be inserted into the cavity 46,pushed through the cavity and then twisted to ensure each guide ear issecurely mounted to the neck portion 7 a of the housing 3 in a “lock andkey” relationship. In this way the lug can be located through the cavityand then turned. The shape of the lug is such that, once turned, the lugis prevented from passing back through the cavity.

The guide neck 48 is attached to a distal portion 50 of the guide. Thebody of each guide 42 a, 42 b is curved to correspond to the curvatureof the outer circumferential surface of the drum 18. These curvedportions are each provided with inwardly extending flanges 54 alongtheir length.

The lugs 55 a, 55 b further carry out an additional function ofretaining the guides in a desired position. One end of each lug pushesagainst a resilient portion 56 of the housing. The resilient portion 56comprises a metal strip which is secured at both its ends to theinterior of the housing.

The contact between the lug 55 and the resilient portion 56 of thehousing is resiliently resistive, such that force is required toovercome the resistance between the two in order to move the guides intoa desired position. The resistive force between the lug and theresilient portion 56 means that the guides will not move from thisposition unless acted upon again by a force. This enables the guides tobe moved upwardly and retained in a raised position, to allow the tapeto be positioned around the drum 18, as described in more detail below.The guides may then be pushed downwards by the user back into positioni.e. around the drum. This movement will be against the resistive forceof the contact between the lug and the resilient portion of the housing.

In use, a reel holding a tape in coiled configuration is inserted intothe space between the first section 3 a and the second section 3 b. Thereel may have a peg on one of its sides. As the reel is inserted intothe housing, the peg fits into the recess 27 of the second section 3 band also notches 44 of the second part of the handle 6. The peg travelsalong the sloped surface of the block 8, thus moving the block 8 upwardagainst the biasing force of the spring. The block 8 is then no longeraccommodated in the notch 51, thereby enabling rotation of the handleabout its pivot in the housing 3.

The free end of the tape is pulled to release a length of tape from thereel. The first and second guides 42 a, 42 b are positioned away fromthe drum 18. The free end of the tape is then fed between the firstguide 42 a and the neck portions 7 of sections 3 a and 3 b. The sprocketholes of the tape are then lined up with the sprockets or projections 36of the drum 18, so that the tape is always in registration with thedrum. The free end of the tape is then fed between the second guide 42 band the neck portions of sections 3 a and 3 b and also through thepassage of the handle. Both guides 42 a, 42 b are then positioned aroundthe drum 18. When the guides are in this position, the distal end 50 ofeach guide holds the tape taut against the neck portions of sections 3 aand 3 b. The apparatus is then ready to be used to dispense the adhesivemeans.

To dispense adhesive elements from the tape held in the apparatus 1,pressure is applied to the handle 6 of the actuating means. Theapplication of pressure on the handle has the effect of moving theactuating means around its pivot into a second or actuating position.Using the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a user ormechanical apparatus partially rotates the handle around its pivot onthe housing in a downward direction. The application of pressure to thehandle results in rotational movement of the handle around its pivot.The rotational movement of the handle 6 has the effect of applying arotational movement to the drum 18 via a linear movement of the strip 28and also the post 49.

The movement of the handle is permitted due to the block being moved outof its resting position by insertion of a peg on one side of a reel oftape. The motion of the handle causes the flexible strip to movelinearly, and causes the post to move in a downward direction. Thedownward linear movement of the post causes the distal end 34 of the pin14, which is engaged with the surface of the groove 33 of the drum, tostart moving along one of the tracks of the drum. The start point of thepin in each actuation is the outer apex or point of a zone 35. The pinis forced, due to the force exerted on the actuating means, to travelalong the upwardly-inclining track e.g. 35 b and then over the steppedportion 47 at the inner apex of the zone.

Release of the pressure on the handle results in the actuating meansreturning to its non-actuating or first position, due to the biasingforce of the spring (not shown). As a result, the handle 6 moves in acurved upward direction towards its initial position. This causes thedistal end 34 of the pin 14, which is attached to the post 49, to moveupwards within the groove. Thus, the pin moves from the inner apex,along the track 35 a and over the stepped portion at the outer apex.Thus, a single actuation of the actuating means results in the pinmoving through one zone of the drum groove. The movement of the pin downtwo tracks of a zone causes the drum to rotate reciprocally about itsaxis by a single step. The stepped portions prevent the pin fromreturning to the track it has previously followed and thus prevent thereversal of rotation of the drum.

The partial rotation of the handle causes linear movement of the linkingelement which in turn causes linear movement of the pin 14 in the grooveof the drum. The linear movement of the pin 14 causes the drum topartially rotate about its pivot. As the drum rotates, the taperegistered thereon also moves. Each actuation, and subsequent partialrotation of the drum 18, results in the tape being fed around the drum.This movement enables an adhesive element such as a glue dot or padcarried on the tape to be exposed on the lower surface of the drum.

When the drum is placed in contact with the surface prior to actuationof the handle, it subsequently stays in contact with the surface duringan actuation, and thus partial rotational movement, of the handle. Thisresults in the drum moving across the target surface throughout thedownward actuation of the handle. Thus, when the drum is in its restingor start position, the adhesive element to be dispensed from the tape isnot in contact with the target surface and it is only the movement ofthe handle, and thus movement of the linking element and pin in thegroove of the drum, that brings the adhesive element in contact with thesurface, thus providing the “rolling off” action of the adhesive elementfrom the tape onto the surface.

The process of dispensing an adhesive element to a target location on asurface can be considered to have three main stages. In the first stage,the drum 18 is placed in contact with the surface, but the adhesiveelement to be dispensed does not touch the surface. The second stage ofthe process is, when the handle is actuated, the drum rotates thusmoving across the surface, bringing the adhesive element into contactwith the surface whilst still attached to the tape. The third stageoccurs when the handle has been fully actuated and the drum 18 is nolonger rotating. The adhesive element has been deposited on the surfaceat the target location, the target location being situated behind thedrum's final position on the surface. The stages of this process isshown in FIG. 13.

Therefore, the rotation of the drum 18 enables the adhesive element tobe rolled or “peeled off” the tape and, if the adhesive element ispermitted to contact with a surface or article, onto a surface. Therotational movement of the drum 18, with the adhesive element exposed onthe lower surface, enables the contact between the adhesive element andthe surface to be maintained during this process. The rotationalmovement of the drum, caused by linear movement of the pin in the grooveof the drum, allows the adhesive element exposed on the lower surface ofthe wheel to be rolled off the tape and onto the surface and thus, thedispensing of the adhesive element onto a surface is carried out by thissingle rolling motion. This rolling or peeling off action results in amore effective transfer of adhesive elements to a surface than if theadhesive element was simply pressed onto a surface. Additional partialrotations of the handle 6 result in additional partial rotations of thedrum 18, thus feeding the tape across the lower or dispensing surface ofthe drum. The adhesive elements are carried on the tape in arelationship which corresponds with the indexing means, so that a singleadhesive element only will be exposed on the lower surface of the drumon each actuation. The returning of the pin to its original positionstops the rotation of the drum, thus preventing the next adhesiveelement on the tape from also being deposited on the surface. Thereturning of the pin to its rest position also resets the drum fordispensing the next adhesive element on the tape. The registration meansof the drum help to feed the tape around the drum.

The tape from which adhesive element has already been dispensed is thenfed through between the second guide and the housing and also throughthe passage of the handle, and may be torn off by the user if desired.

The drum 18 therefore rotates clockwise, driven by the movement of thepin along the groove, whilst the pin returns to the same position afterevery actuation, due to the return of the handle to its non-actuatingposition. The configuration of the labyrinthine groove means that therotational movement of the drum occurs when the pin moves down the firsttrack of each zone. The drum 18 does not rotate when the pin moves alongthe second track of the zone. Repetition of the above-describedprocedure transfers successive dots of adhesive to the same or othersurfaces (not shown) which are placed in the correct positions relativeto the drum 18.

FIG. 13 shows three distinct positions of the dispensing apparatusduring use. The left hand side of FIG. 13 represents a start position ofthe dispenser. The middle section of FIG. 13 represents a secondposition of the dispenser in which the drum 18 maintains rolling contactwith the surface. The right hand side of FIG. 13 represents a third orend position, whereby after fixed rotation, the drum is stopped by themechanism to prevent the next adhesive element being deposited. Thedispensing mechanism, which may be described as a ratchet or escapementmechanism, may then be reset for the next adhesive element.

It will be appreciated that instead of the described apparatus beinghand-held, it may be mechanically or electrically operated so as to givea degree of automaton to the dispensing of the adhesive dots, pads, orthe like.

1. A nozzle for a hose or fixed pipework installation, the nozzlecomprising: a body; a channel extending through the body of the nozzle;and a fluid deflector arranged at or near the downstream end of thechannel, and wherein the fluid deflector determines the direction offlow of the fluid as it leaves the nozzle.
 2. A nozzle as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the fluid deflector is located in a fluid flow pathextending through the nozzle along the channel.
 3. A nozzle as claimedin claim 1 wherein the fluid deflector and the body of the nozzletogether define a width of the channel at or near said downstream end.4. A nozzle as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fluid deflector includes adeflecting surface positioned relative to the end of the channel todefine the width of the channel at or near the downstream end of thechannel.
 5. A nozzle as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least part of thechannel is defined between the deflecting surface and an outlet surfaceof the body.
 6. A nozzle as claimed in claim 5 wherein the deflectingsurface and the body outlet surface are substantially parallel.
 7. Anozzle as claimed in claim 4 wherein the deflector surface is disposedat an obtuse angle relative to a main axis of the body.
 8. A nozzle asclaimed in claim 3 wherein said channel width is variable by adjusting aposition of the fluid deflector relative to the nozzle body.
 9. A nozzleas claimed in claim 8 wherein the fluid deflector is movably mountedrelative to the body, to enable adjustment of a position of thedeflector relative to the body, to facilitate adjustment of the channelwidth.
 10. A nozzle as claimed in claim 8 wherein the channel isprovided with a gap or space suitable for accommodating a spacer toalter the position of the fluid deflector relative to the end of thechannel, thereby varying the width of said channel.
 11. A nozzle asclaimed in claim 8 wherein the deflector is threadably coupled to thebody, such that rotation of the deflector relative to the body advancesand/or retracts the deflector relative to the body, thereby facilitatingadjustment of the channel width.
 12. A nozzle as claimed in claim 8wherein the nozzle comprises a mechanism for adjusting the channelwidth, which is a self-cleaning mechanism.
 13. A nozzle as claimed inclaim 12 wherein the mechanism comprises an actuator and one or moresensors, the actuator moving the deflector in response to a detectedincrease in fluid flow rate indicative of trapped debris in the nozzle.14. A nozzle as claimed in claim 4 wherein the fluid deflector comprisesthe deflecting surface and a central beam, shaft, boss or the likeextending from the deflecting surface into the body of the nozzle, thecentral beam being attachable to the body of the nozzle.
 15. A nozzle asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the channel extending through the body of thenozzle is an annular channel.
 16. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe nozzle further comprises a central channel extending through thebody of the nozzle.
 17. A nozzle as claimed in claim 16 wherein thecentral channel extends through the central beam of the deflector.
 18. Anozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the nozzle is further provided withsensor means.
 19. A nozzle as claimed in claim 18 wherein the sensormeans is located in the fluid deflector.
 20. A nozzle as claimed inclaim 19 wherein the sensor means are embedded in a front surface of thefluid deflector.
 21. A nozzle as claimed in claim 18 wherein the sensormeans is located in the body of the nozzle.
 22. A nozzle as claimed inclaim 16 wherein the nozzle further comprises filter coupling means forcoupling a filter to the upstream end of the central channel.
 23. Anozzle as claimed in claim 16 wherein the nozzle further comprisesnozzle-coupling means for coupling a nozzle to the downstream end of thecentral channel.
 24. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluiddeflector is frusto-conical and is thus provided with a frusto-conicaldeflecting surface, angled away from the direction of fluid flow.
 25. Anozzle as claimed in claim 24 wherein the frusto-conical deflectingsurface extends beyond the maximum width of the channel to direct theflow of fluid.
 26. A kit of parts for a nozzle according to claim 1, thekit of parts comprising a body and a fluid deflector.
 27. A kit of partsas claimed in claim 26 wherein the kit of parts further comprises acoupling means adapted to connect the deflector to the body.
 28. Anozzle comprising: a body having a fluid outlet; a fluid flow channelextending through the body, the channel in fluid communication with thebody outlet; and a fluid deflector located adjacent the body outlet andpositioned such that fluid flowing along the channel impinges on thedeflector and is directed out of the nozzle by the deflector, thedirection of flow of the fluid exiting the nozzle thereby determined bythe deflector.